Best Grants for Land Conservation in Minnesota

Minnesota agricultural producers and land stewards seeking to improve working lands and conserve soil, water, and wildlife habitat can receive conservation payments through the Conservation Stewardship Program. USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota offers customized plans and annual financial assistance to enhance grazing, crop resiliency, and land and habitat conservation practices over time.

Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help Minnesota land and habitat conservation nonprofits fund projects in communities where the company operates. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can propose initiatives that protect and restore land and water, create green spaces, and promote sustainable, healthy, and vibrant communities connected to Cleveland-Cliffs’ local facilities.

Private and tribal landowners in Minnesota seeking to restore or protect degraded farmed wetlands can receive easement payments and restoration cost-share through wetland reserve easements. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota offers permanent, term, and 30-year easements or contracts to support long-term land and habitat conservation on eligible agricultural wetlands.

Agricultural producers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Minnesota can apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota to fund conservation practices on working lands. Support includes technical and financial assistance for land and habitat conservation, water and air quality, soil health, and climate resilience improvements.

With a mission to support land and habitat conservation, nonprofits and local governments in Minnesota can seek implementation funding to enhance publicly owned open spaces. The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers up to US $35,000 for projects that restore ecosystems, improve public access, engage community members, and plan for long-term environmental and financial sustainability.

Nonprofits, government entities, sportsmen’s groups, and educational institutions in Minnesota can seek funding for land and habitat conservation, public access, and wildlife management projects. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supports efforts such as conserving migratory corridors, securing access easements, and improving outdoor recreation opportunities, with awards of US $5,000 - US $50,000.

Grants help Minnesota land and habitat conservation organizations and local governments plan community-driven projects in publicly owned open spaces. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local units of government can seek up to US $8,000 from the Laura Jane Musser Fund to design ecosystem restoration, public access, and long-term sustainability strategies with measurable outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations and government entities working on land and habitat conservation in Minnesota can receive US $5,000 - US $500,000 to restore, protect, or enhance prairies, wetlands, forests, and fish and wildlife habitat. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation Partners Legacy grants require a 10% non-state match and fund projects on permanently protected or publicly owned lands.

Minnesota land and habitat conservation nonprofits can access funding through The Oak Hill Fund to restore diminished native tree species via research, seed orchard development, and forest land preservation projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations across the continental U.S. may apply for project-specific support, including necessary administrative and fundraising expenses tied to the restoration effort.

The Cooperative Agreement with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU aims to enhance climate adaptation through research funded by the USGS. This initiative focuses on managing Midwest prairies, combating invasive species, and improving habitat for wildlife while ensuring water security and resilience against climate impacts. By utilizing a comprehensive database from the Prairie Reconstruction Initiative, the project seeks effective management strategies to support decision-making for resource managers, thereby addressing critical environmental challenges.

The F26AS00088 grant program aims to support states and tribes in preventing and compensating for livestock losses due to wolf depredation. Funded by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, it promotes nonlethal strategies for livestock protection, such as fencing and livestock-guarding dogs, while also providing reimbursement for confirmed losses. This initiative enhances coexistence between wildlife and agriculture, ensuring sustainable practices for livestock producers.

Nonprofit or conservation-focused organizations helping private landowners adopt regenerative agriculture and conservation practices in Minnesota can seek US $250,000 - US $750,000 through the Conservation Partners Grant Program. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports technical assistance for management planning, implementing best practices, Farm Bill participation, and sharing lessons learned to improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat on private lands.

This project aims to enhance the management of freshwater habitats in the Northwest, vital for native fish like bull trout and salmon. By developing a predictive modeling tool, it addresses threats from non-native species and environmental changes. The initiative aligns with federal conservation efforts and prioritizes science-based strategies to safeguard ecosystems and support recreational fishing, benefiting both local economies and tribal resources.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a funding opportunity for CESU partners to conduct research on national-scale biogeographic information for aquatic organisms. This project aims to enhance species distribution models and habitat assessments using advanced analytical methods and artificial intelligence. By aligning with Department of the Interior priorities, it supports informed conservation decisions for aquatic ecosystems and species management, benefiting local communities and scientific collaboration.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing a funding opportunity for research aimed at restoring cisco populations in Lakes Huron and Erie. This involves hiring a structured decision-making expert and facilitating a workshop for fisheries managers to create a restoration plan. Additionally, a scientist will be engaged to conduct experiments to identify optimal environmental conditions for producing high-quality cisco in hatcheries, enhancing reintroduction efforts.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) organizations with annual budgets of at least $300,000 can apply for the Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation’s Community Grants, awarding more than US $20,000 for environmental programs. Two-year operating or program support is available for land and water protection, sustainable land use, water quality, and related youth education across Minnesota.

Community Action Fund

A grant for Indigenous frontline organizations, groups, and individuals for direct action initiatives.

The Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support non-violent direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples rights, communities and Nations.

Community Action Fund Intent

This grant supports Indigenous frontline, grassroots, community-based groups and organizations, Tribes, communities and villages, and individuals leading non-violent direct action or movement-building work in their effort to DEFEND Indigenous People’s rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.

Focused on water stewardship, Bell's Brewery invites U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations to seek grassroots grants of US $500 - US $5,000 for projects that protect water resources and ecosystems. Minnesota land and habitat conservation groups working on freshwater protection, ecosystem health, or climate-related water resilience may be eligible.

Minnesota land and habitat conservation nonprofits can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation for self-sustaining projects that strengthen the economic base of low-income, disadvantaged communities. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations may seek program-related investments or grants supporting economic development, housing, education, health, community revitalization, and related services alongside conservation work.

Nonprofits, researchers, and conservation-focused individuals improving land and habitat can apply for SITKA Ecosystem Grants, offering US $3,000 - US $20,000 for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and stewardship projects in Minnesota and beyond. Focused on land and habitat conservation, W.L. Gore & Associates supports work like habitat restoration, wildlife research, and trail maintenance through this program.

Eligible public and private partners working on land and habitat conservation near military installations in Minnesota can apply for the U.S. Department of Defense’s REPI Challenge, with awards up to US $20,000,000 for compatible land use and resilience projects. Conservation initiatives that prevent land-use conflicts and alleviate environmental restrictions may be competitive.

Nonprofits, schools, local governments, and fiscally sponsored community groups in the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed area can receive funding for environmental stewardship, land and habitat conservation, and community beautification projects in Minnesota. Initiative Foundation’s Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation Grant also supports sustainable farming, outdoor recreation, and cultural initiatives that strengthen local pride and economic vitality.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions working on land and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, or restorative economies in Minnesota and other U.S. regions can access funding through the Biophilia Foundation; awards range from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants support private land conservation, low-tech stream restoration, conservation policy, and nature-based economic initiatives, with a focus on systemic change.

Graduate students interested in land and habitat conservation in Minnesota and across the U.S. can gain paid, hands-on practicum experience through the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. With a mission to support collaborative conservation leaders, National Forest Foundation provides fellows with project-based work, mentorship, training, and reimbursed travel connected to National Forests and Grasslands programs.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on land and habitat conservation, wildlife protection, and related advocacy can apply for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants. Funding supports nationally significant efforts such as policy, legal advocacy, Indigenous wildlife management, and habitat preservation, which may benefit Minnesota groups focused on conserving critical species and ecosystems.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.

The Easement Restoration and Stewardship program, funded by the USDA NRCS, focuses on restoring and managing Wetland and Floodplain Easements. It includes developing restoration plans, conducting assessments, and implementing stewardship activities to enhance ecological health. Awardees will collaborate with NRCS personnel to ensure effective restoration design and maintenance strategies, fostering sustainable landscapes. This initiative addresses critical habitat conditions and promotes long-term environmental benefits for protected lands.